INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
It's pretty clear that people and businesses will continue the trend of reducing their need to rely on costly hardware and infrastructure by
placing files and applications in the cloud.Given the multitude of cloud storage providers out there, you must take care in choosing a
provider who will offer the maximum amount of low-cost storage and bandwidth, while still keeping your data safe.This list represents our
top 10 picks for cloud storage
All offer a free tier allowing you to see if they're right for you before handing over any hard-earned cash.1
DropboxVeteran cloud storage providerBusiness features including collaborationReferrals get you extra storageBut you only start with 2GB
free storageThe Granddaddy of cloud storage, Dropbox offers a rather measly 2GB of free storage, but this can be increased up to 16GB free
collaborate on work as well as giving each person unlimited space in a personal Dropbox account
There are also enhanced features for file recovery and versioning
Google DriveA smart option for Google fans and G Suite usersGenerous amount of free storageIntegrated with Android devicesWeb interface
appreciate the generous free storage too
You can also store high definition photos on your mobile phone with companion app Google Photos, and make use of Google's own office suite
(now known as G Suite).Downsides include the fact that the web interface isn't very easy-to-use, although Windows and Mac users can download
MegaPuts a premium on securityEasy-to-use UIExtremely generous free offeringSync client is open sourceWith an insanely generous free tier
and a simple drag-and-drop interface, New Zealand-based Mega is one of the cloud storage heavyweights
OneDriveBacked by Microsoft and ideal for Windows usersIntegrated directly into WindowsFile restoration featuresFree storage is only
5GBOneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) is integrated into Windows 10's file explorer
There's an app for Android and iOS devices, and there's even one in the App Store for Mac users (although it has received mixed
you want to back up your iPhone to iCloud, you'll need more than the free 5GB allowance Apple gives you, but compared to rivals iCloud
Documents created in the iWork office suite are also saved to iCloud and can sync across your devices
BoxWell-known service with some powerful business optionsSupported by many appsBusiness plans with advanced securityFree account file upload
But there is a 10GB free option, too.As Box has been around for a while, it is supported by a number of mainstream apps such as Google Docs
The Box Sync client is available from the Downloads page for Mac and Windows, plus there's also an official Android client.Price: 10GB free
NextCloudDIY cloud storage solutionInnovative self-hosting solutionTailor your cloud locker to your needsPreconfigured setups
Using a server on your home network for cloud storage is much faster
experience, you can even purchase a preconfigured NextCloud Box from the website which comes with a 1TB hard drive and will work with an
Self-hosting so storage costs vary
trend of zero knowledge cloud storage providers
The website claims that after installing the client your data is encrypted before syncing
available for Windows, Mac and Linux as well as Android and iOS (although, both Android and iOS are read-only apps, meaning you can only
view files, and can't upload or sync anything)
IDriveStorage solution which extends to cover network drivesBroad range of file sharing optionsIDrive Express service is handy if disaster
strikesFree offering only gives you 5GBIDrive offers continuous syncing of your files, even those on network drives
The web interface supports sharing files by email, Facebook and Twitter
Cautious or click-happy users will be pleased to hear that files deleted from your computer are not automatically deleted from the server,
pCloudIdeal for those storing large media filesUp to 20GB of free storageNeat privacy and security featuresSome bandwidth limits applyWhile
some bandwidth limits apply, there seems to be no limit to the size of files you can upload, so feel free to sync large media files with
The company itself is registered in Switzerland which has strong privacy laws, and you can also pay a premium of $4.99 a month (around
increase that by referring people)
